The founder and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has declared that the party will go ahead with its planned congresses and national convention despite the ongoing leadership dispute and the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the crisis.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Nwosu, who served as the national chairman of the party, said the party remained determined to pursue its internal processes as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
“We are taking the necessary action both in court and with INEC, but we will not allow INEC to derail any of our programmes,” he said. “After that malicious INEC release, our chairman and the rest of us sat together and resolved to move ahead.”
The ADC has been grappling with a leadership crisis involving rival factions, prompting INEC to withdraw recognition of certain party officials pending the outcome of ongoing court proceedings.
Despite the development, Nwosu insisted that the party had complied with the relevant legal requirements guiding its activities.
“We submitted our programme to INEC according to the law, and they endorsed it — all the dates were approved. By the Electoral Act, whether they attend or not is their own decision; we have not violated any provision,” he said.
He further disclosed that the party’s congresses had already commenced and that the national convention would proceed as scheduled.
“The congresses have already started. Our national convention, slated for the 14th, will also go ahead, where we will validate everything we have done,” Nwosu said.
He added that the party was determined to ensure that its leadership structures were driven by individuals committed to reforming the political system.
“We don’t want opportunists in the ADC; we want mission-driven leaders who have the courage to challenge a bad system,” he said.
Nwosu also noted that the party would continue to notify INEC of its programmes and activities, including plans related to the selection of candidates for future elections.
“If they don’t accept it, we will publish it to all Nigerian media because they represent the people,” he added.